It’s the fastest-growing sport on this planet: Pickleball, the paddle sport that’s popping up in every single place and profitable new followers within the course of. That’s led to surging demand for pickleball courts at lodges and resorts.
However for those who’re in search of a pickleball trip, there’s one island within the Caribbean that’s turn into arguably the highest pickleball hotspot within the hemisphere proper now: Antigua.
The Jap Caribbean island is residence to quite a few resorts with spectacular pickleball packages, and the expertise simply retains getting higher.
It begins on the adults-only Pineapple Seashore Membership in Antigua, which is the primary pickleball resort within the Caribbean, boasting a whopping six outside exhausting courts, all only a quick stroll from one of many island’s greatest seashores. At Pineapple, pickleball is a part of your all-inclusive trip, with tools offered on request, courts open every single day and the choice of enjoying tennis whilst you wait in your courtroom.
With 180 rooms, it’s additionally the right place to plan a gaggle pickleball retreat, one other more and more standard trip possibility within the Caribbean: simply give it some thought — you and your pickleball companions headed for the islands with pickleball within the morning and the seaside within the afternoon.
On the 186-room The Verandah Antigua, you get entry to 4 brand-new courts, with a lined seating space, desk tennis within the ready space (a really cool contact, for those who ask us). Even higher? The 4 courts listed here are lit for night time play. The Verandah is the latest adults-only lodge in Antigua, with two seashores and a stunning, charming Caribbean really feel. Even higher? You’ll be able to cool off after your spherical within the Wavy Wicket, our favourite new lodge bar within the Caribbean that we adored on our latest keep, a stunning, sports-focused bar with opulent seating and a few artistic cocktails, too. In the event you get an opportunity, try to play a recreation with the “Pickleball Queen.” Simply thank us later.
Then there’s the St James’ Membership and Villas, the place you discover a trio of pickleball courts. Right here, the largest story is the setting: the courts are actually proper subsequent to the seaside. (You additionally get desk tennis within the ready space and the courts are lit for night time play, too).
The boutique Hammock Cove resort, considered one of our favourite luxurious lodges within the Caribbean, is legendary for its plunge-pool villas (which we cherished on our latest keep, together with the crystal kayaks, amongst different issues)— but it surely’s additionally residence to a pair of high-level courts. In an inclusion we love, you get drink service out of your private ambassador proper to the courtroom.
All of it provides as much as an unequalled pickleball providing — and the luxurious of selection between the resorts, that are a part of the Elite Island Resorts portfolio, a lodge model that has been on the forefront of the Caribbean pickleball motion for years — lengthy earlier than the game was as standard as it’s right now. Which means while you keep at considered one of their lodges, you’re staying someplace with severe pickleball pedigree.
In some ways, pickleball has been altering Caribbean journey. Earlier than, discovering a courtroom within the area was a uncommon bonus. Right this moment, it’s one thing vacationers are actively in search of out, making it a necessary a part of their Caribbean holidays.
However they needn’t look farther than Antigua.
Are you planning a pickleball getaway in Antigua? You will discover flight choices at Google Flights right here, together with fares from Miami from about $684 roundtrip.
